A Thing or Two About Music

This 1963 essay collection presents music historian Nicolas Slonimsky's observations and insights about classical music, composers, and musical life in the 20th century. The writings range from technical analyses of compositions to behind-the-scenes looks at musical institutions and personalities. Slonimsky examines concert halls, conservatories, orchestras and the economics of classical music in America and Europe. Many of the pieces focus on the author's direct experiences conducting ensembles and interacting with notable composers and performers of his era. Musical techniques, innovations, and the evolution of new compositional styles receive particular attention throughout the book. Slonimsky methodically dissects works while maintaining accessibility for general readers interested in music history. The essays highlight recurring tensions between tradition and experimentation in 20th century classical music circles, along with the challenges of preserving appreciation for orchestral music in an increasingly commercialized cultural landscape.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Nicolas Slonimsky's overall work: Readers appreciate Slonimsky's humorous writing style and encyclopedic knowledge across his music reference works. Many note his ability to make complex musical concepts accessible while maintaining scholarly rigor. What readers liked: - Sharp wit and entertaining anecdotes in Lexicon of Musical Invective - Clear explanations of musical patterns in Thesaurus of Scales - Comprehensive coverage in Baker's Dictionary - Personal stories from Perfect Pitch that illuminate music history What readers disliked: - Dense technical language in some sections - High price point of reference works - Some outdated information in older editions - Occasional digressions and tangents Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Perfect Pitch: 4.2/5 (89 ratings) - Lexicon of Musical Invective: 4.3/5 (156 ratings) - Thesaurus of Scales: 4.4/5 (67 ratings) Amazon: - Baker's Dictionary: 4.6/5 (43 reviews) - Thesaurus of Scales: 4.7/5 (89 reviews) Readers frequently cite his work as valuable for musicians, composers, and music scholars, though some find the technical depth challenging for casual readers.

This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin This book explores the intersection of music theory and neuroscience through research-based examinations of how humans process and respond to musical elements.

The Rest Is Noise by Alex Ross The book traces the evolution of twentieth-century music through connections between composers, cultural movements, and historical events.

How Music Works by David Byrne The text examines music creation and consumption through multiple lenses including technology, economics, architecture, and social contexts.

The Music of the Primes by Marcus du Sautoy The book reveals mathematical patterns in music and demonstrates connections between number theory and musical composition.

Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks The book presents case studies of patients with neurological conditions that affect their relationship with music, illustrating the brain's complex relationship with musical perception.

🎵 Nicolas Slonimsky wrote much of this book at age 93, drawing from his vast experience as a conductor, composer, and lexicographer 🎼 The book contains many of Slonimsky's famously witty "Slonimskisms" - his clever musical definitions and observations that became legendary among musicians 📚 Slonimsky served as editor of Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians for over 50 years, bringing his encyclopedic knowledge to both reference works and this more personal book 🎹 Frank Zappa was a huge fan of Slonimsky's work and invited him to perform on stage with his band in 1981 - an example of the author's ability to bridge classical and modern musical worlds 🎭 The book showcases Slonimsky's multilingual abilities - he could speak five languages fluently and often included international musical terms and concepts in his writings